Clamping device

ABSTRACT

A clamping device for securely engaging one or more objects through an application of pressure. The clamping device includes a primary member having opposed interior and exterior surfaces. The primary member has a generally cylindrical shape such that the interior surface defines a generally circular space about a center point of the primary member. The clamping device can receive an elongated member through the generally circular space circumscribed by the primary member. The primary member is adapted for clamping and releasing such that the clamping device may releasably engage the elongated member. The elongated member is securely retained by the clamping device through the application of pressure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/213,258, filed Dec. 7, 2018, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,953,263on Mar. 23, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/044,098, filed Jul. 24, 2018, and issued as U.S. Pat. No.10,266,659 on Mar. 12, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/860,089, filed Jan. 2, 2018, issued as U.S. Pat.No. 10,512,815 on Dec. 24, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/943,024, filed Nov. 16, 2015, and issued as U.S.Pat. No. 9,855,458 on Jan. 2, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/080,168, filed on Nov. 14, 2014, all ofwhich prior applications are incorporated by reference herein and madepart hereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to clamping devices. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a device used to secureweights on exercise equipment.

2. Description of the Related Art

A clamping device is an apparatus that engages one or more objects forthe purpose of securely retaining the object or objects. Designconsiderations for clamping devices include overall size, weight, numberof component parts, means for joining component parts, quality offeedstock, likelihood of improper use, ability to prevent movement andseparation when engaging multiple objects, propensity to become deformedor break through use, and means for engaging and releasing the device.

These design considerations will affect whether a clamping device isable to function reliable and in what circumstances. It is possible formore than one of the identified considerations to impact a single designfeature. Typically, clamping devices take a limited number of the abovedesign factors into consideration.

Thus, a clamping device capable of reliably engaging one or more objectssecurely may be too large or heavy for the intended use. Alternatively,such a clamping device may sacrifice ease of use for reliability.Providing for the use of additional tools can increase the ability of aclamping device to securely engage an object, while making the devicemore difficult to use. Ease of use can also influence whether a clampingdevice is regularly used or adopted by potential users.

Another potential tradeoff is a reduction in the quality of feedstock toreduce production cost. Clamping devices constructed at least in partfrom inexpensive or substandard material can degrade through both useand the passage of time.

It is also desired that the clamping device not damage an engaged objector objects. A clamping device that allows a user to determine thedistance between the points of contact between the device and a targetobject can be over tightened, increasing the possibility of damage tothe object. Also, if a contact surface of a clamping device is made ofcoarse materials it is more likely to damage a retained object. Thelikelihood that damage will occur with such a device is increased if itis used during high impact activities.

Clamping devices are commonly used during weight training to reduceconditions that restrict performance of an exercise or the ability toperform an exercise in a safe manner. Undesirable conditions includeinstability, imbalance, oscillation of movable parts, and separation ofremovable components from assemblies, equipment or apparatuses. Theseconditions pose a safety risk due to potential injuries.

To limit these undesirable conditions, a clamping device is favored thatis able remain securely engaged throughout the entire movement requiredof an exercise. It is also desirable for the clamping device to remainsecurely engaged throughout all successive repetitions of the exercise.

A common training assembly used during weight training is a barbell withremovable weights loaded on in it. A clamping device can be employed toprohibit separation of the removable weights of that assembly.Additionally, a clamping device that can securely engage the barbell isdesirable to prevent movement of the weights while on the barbell.

Moreover, removable weights often incorporate a sleeve positioned aroundtheir inside surface that contacts the exterior surface of the barbell.Clamping devices used to retain the weights on the barbell can damagethe sleeve if the surface area that contacts the weight is insignificantdue to the thickness of the clamping device.

Clamping devices which attempt to address more than one of theidentified problems are often difficult to manufacture. More difficultstill to manufacture such clamping devices economically. Thus, aclamping device that solves more than one of the aforementioned problemsis desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A clamping device is disclosed for securely engaging one or more objectsthrough the application of pressure. The clamping device includes aprimary member having opposed interior and exterior surfaces. Theprimary member has a generally cylindrical shape such that the interiorsurface defines a generally circular space about the center point of theprimary member. The clamping device can receive an elongated memberthrough the generally circular space circumscribed by the primarymember.

The clamping device is adapted for clamping and releasing andincorporates a means for releasably engaging the elongated member. Themeans for releasably engaging the elongated member has opposed open andclosed positions. The means for releasably engaging the elongated memberis attached to the primary member such that when the means forreleasably engaging the elongated member is in the closed position, theelongated member is securely engaged by the clamping devices through theapplication of pressure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an end view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention in theopened position;

FIG. 2 is perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventionin the opened position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventionin the closed position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of theinvention in the open position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventionin the closed position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of theinvention in the opened position; and

FIG. 7 is an end view of another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention relates to aclamping device 100. As shown in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3 ,the clamping device 100 securely retains one or more objects through theapplication of pressure. A perspective view of one embodiment of theclamping device is shown in FIG. 2 . As illustrated in FIG. 2 , theclamping device 100 is shown with a primary member 102 that has agenerally cylindrical body 101 extending between a front surface 121 anda rear surface 123 of the primary member 102, and defining a centralpassage 125 extending between the front and rear surfaces 121, 123. Theprimary member 102 is one continual piece throughout its length. Theprimary member 102 has an interior surface 107 and an opposed exteriorsurface 105. The interior and exterior surfaces 107, 105 follow agenerally circular path about the center of the primary member 102.

The primary member 102 in FIGS. 1-3 has a plurality of alternating thinsections 147 and thick sections 149, the thick sections 147 havingincreased thickness with respect to the thin sections 149. In theparticular embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the exterior surface 105 followsa generally parabolic path when the clamping device 100 is observed froman end view, such that the thick and thin sections 147, 149 formalternating raised portions 143 and recessed portions 145 on theexterior surface. The pattern displayed by the exterior surface 105 inthis embodiment is optional. Other potential patterns include those thatare substantially triangular or crescent when viewing the clampingdevice 100 from an end view. FIG. 7 shows the exterior surface 105remaining generally circular around the circumference of the primarymember 102. The opposed interior surface 107 moves closer and furtheraway from the exterior surface 105 as the interior and exterior surfaces107, 105 move in a generally circular direction about the center of theprimary member 102.

FIG. 2 further shows the primary member 102 with two extremities 109,111. The primary member being sufficiently rigid to bias the firstextremity 109 away from the second extremity 111. The two extremities109, 111 being sufficiently distant from each other 109, 111 to allowone or more objects to pass through the center of the primary member 102(not shown). An elongated member being one such potential object. Theclamping device 100 having a means for releasably engaging 104 suchelongated member. In this particular embodiment, each of the twoextremities 109, 111 is joined to the means for releasably engaging theelongated member 104. Further, in this embodiment, the means forreleasably engaging the elongated member is a lever 104. The lever 104is a preferred means for releasably engaging the elongated member, butnot required.

FIG. 2 further shows the lever 104 in an open position 103. Lever 104will cause the clamping device 100 to engage the elongated member bytransitioning from the open position 103 to a closed position 115. Inthis embodiment, pins 106, 108 are vertically oriented parallel to theinterior and exterior surfaces 107, 105. Each pin 106, 108 extends theheight of one extremity 109, 111. The pins 106, 108 join the lever 104to each extremity 109, 111 by extending vertically through counterposedarcuate holes 113, 114 formed through the lower end of the lever 104.

FIG. 2 further shows lever 104 pivots radially about the midpoint of thepins 106, 108 approximately ninety degrees to transition from the openposition 103 to the closed position 115. FIG. 3 shows lever 104 causingthe clamping device 100 to engage a barbell by being positioned in theclosed position 115. In this embodiment, lever 104 decreases thecircumference and diameter of the primary member 102 simultaneously whentransitioning from the open position 103 to the closed position 115.FIG. 3 further shows clamping device 100 protecting a sleeve positionedaround the inside surface of the weight that contacts the exteriorsurface of the barbell by radially extending from the center of thebarbell higher than the interior surface of the weight.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show another exemplary embodiment of the clamping device100 where the means for releasably engaging the elongated member 104includes an end portion 131 of the lever 104 having an upper end 120 anda lower end 122, such that when said means for releasably engaging theelongated member 104 is in the closed position 115, the lower endthereof 122 extends below the interior surface 107 of said primarymember 102 and has an engagement surface 139 to contact the elongatedmember. FIG. 4 shows the means for releasably engaging the elongatedmember 104 in the open position 103. FIG. 6 shows another exemplaryembodiment of the clamping device 100 where lower end 122 of means forreleasably engaging the elongated member 104 depresses an engaging agent124. The primary member 102 has an opening 127 with a boundary entirelydefined by the generally cylindrical body 101 between the front and rearsurfaces 121, 123 and extending through the thickness of the generallycylindrical body 101. The lower end 122 extends through the opening 127to engage the elongated member 104 in the closed position 115. The endportion 131 of the lever 104 is pivotably connected to the primarymember 102 proximate to the opening 127 at a pivot connection point 135,and an elongated arm 137 extends from the end portion 131. The endportion 131 of the lever 104 is enlarged with respect to the elongatedarm 137 and has a projection 133 on which the lower end 122 is definedin the embodiment of FIGS. 4-5 . The exterior surface 105 of the primarymember 102 in FIGS. 4-5 has a plurality of alternating raised portions143 and recessed portions 145 that extend an entire circumferentialdistance of the exterior surface 105. In the embodiment of FIGS. 4-5 ,the pivot connection point 135 extends through one of the raisedportions 143, and the opening 127 is formed at least partially throughone of the raised portions 143. The clamping device 100 in oneembodiment also includes a secondary member 141 that extends around aportion of the interior surface 107 of the primary member 102, and thesecondary member 141 may extend around at least half of acircumferential distance of the interior surface 107 as shown in FIGS.4-5 .

The clamping device 100 can be created using multiple types offeedstock, that is to say the main raw material used in the manufactureof a product. In one exemplary embodiment, the clamping device 100 ismade from an aluminum alloy (not indicated). In a preferred embodiment,the aluminum alloy 6061 Billet, formerly referred to as Alloy 61S. Otherpreferred materials for construction of the clamping device 100 includeplastics (not indicated) and steel (not indicated). It is also possibleto use different materials to construct different component parts of theclamping device 100.

The preferred embodiment easily and quickly engages the exerciseequipment. The preferred embodiment is also able to easily and quicklydisengaged from the exercise equipment to allow for weights to beconveniently removed or added to the exercise equipment.

It should be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of the particular arrangement shown heresince the invention is capable of other embodiments, some of which maybe quite different from those of the disclosed embodiments. While theforegoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinaryskill in the art to make and use what is presently considered by theinventor to be the best mode of the invention, a device may be practicedwhich incorporates other structural and/or functional details inaddition to or other than the structural and/or functional details setforth herein. It should therefore be understood that the presentinvention is not limited to the embodiments described above, butencompasses any and all embodiments within the scope and spirit of theinvention as claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A clamping device comprising: a primary memberhaving a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, agenerally cylindrical body extending between the front and rearsurfaces, a central passage defining an interior surface, wherein theprimary member is configured to receive an elongated member through thecentral passage, wherein the generally cylindrical body has a thicknessdefined between the interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein anopening extends through the thickness and the generally cylindrical bodycomprises a plurality of alternating thin sections and thick sections,the thick sections having increased thickness with respect to the thinsections, and wherein the thick and thin sections form alternatingraised portions and recessed portions on the exterior surface, whereinthe alternating raised and recessed portions extend an entirecircumferential distance of the exterior surface; and a lever having anend portion pivotably connected to the primary member proximate to theopening at a pivot connection point and an elongated arm extending fromthe end portion, the end portion having a lower end defining anengagement surface, the lever being moveable by rotation between an openposition and a closed position, wherein when in the closed position, thelower end of the lever extends through the opening and inwardly from theinterior surface, such that the engagement surface is configured toengage the elongated member within the central passage to hold theclamping device in position with respect to the elongated member, andwherein movement of the lever from the closed position to the openposition causes the lower end to move outwardly, such that when in theopen position, the engagement surface is not configured to engage theelongated member to hold the clamping device in position with respect tothe elongated member.
 2. The clamping device of claim 1, wherein thelever is connected to the primary member such that the pivot connectionpoint is located at one of the raised portions, and the opening extendsthrough the one of the raised portions.
 3. The clamping device of claim1, wherein the opening has a boundary entirely defined within thegenerally cylindrical body and located between the front and rearsurfaces of the primary member.
 4. The clamping device of claim 1,further comprising a secondary member that extends around a portion ofthe interior surface of the primary member.
 5. The clamping device ofclaim 4, wherein the secondary member extends around at least half of acircumferential distance of the interior surface.
 6. The clamping deviceof claim 1, wherein the end portion is enlarged with respect to theelongated arm.
 7. The clamping device of claim 1, wherein the primarymember is formed of a single, continual piece.
 8. A clamping devicecomprising: a primary member formed of a single, continual piece andhaving a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, and agenerally cylindrical body extending between the front and rearsurfaces, with a central passage defining an interior surface, whereinthe primary member is configured to receive an elongated member throughthe central passage, and wherein the generally cylindrical body has athickness defined between the interior surface and an exterior surface,wherein an opening extends through the thickness; a lever having an endportion pivotably connected to the primary member proximate to theopening at a pivot connection point and an elongated arm extending fromthe end portion, the end portion comprising a projection having asubstantially polygonal shape and extending from the pivot connectionpoint, the projection having a lower end defining an engagement surface,the lever being moveable by rotation between an open position and aclosed position, wherein when in the closed position, the lower end ofthe projection extends through the opening and inwardly from theinterior surface, such that the engagement surface is configured toengage the elongated member within the central passage to hold theclamping device in position with respect to the elongated member, andwherein movement of the lever from the closed position to the openposition causes the lower end to move outwardly, such that when in theopen position, the engagement surface is not configured to engage theelongated member to hold the clamping device in position with respect tothe elongated member.
 9. The clamping device of claim 8, wherein thegenerally cylindrical body comprises a plurality of alternating raisedportions and recessed portions on the exterior surface.
 10. The clampingdevice of claim 9, wherein the generally cylindrical body comprises aplurality of alternating thin sections and thick sections, the thicksections having increased thickness with respect to the thin sections,and wherein the thick and thin sections form the alternating raisedportions and recessed portions on the exterior surface.
 11. The clampingdevice of claim 8, wherein the opening has a boundary entirely definedwithin the generally cylindrical body and located between the front andrear surfaces of the primary member.
 12. The clamping device of claim 8,further comprising a secondary member that extends around a portion ofthe interior surface of the primary member, wherein a portion of thesecondary member is positioned on the interior surface opposite theopening.
 13. A clamping device comprising: a primary member formed of asingle, continual piece and having a front surface, a rear surfaceopposite the front surface, and a generally cylindrical body extendingbetween the front and rear surfaces, with a central passage defining aninterior surface, wherein the primary member is configured to receive anelongated member through the central passage, and wherein the generallycylindrical body has a thickness defined between the interior surfaceand an exterior surface, wherein an opening extends through thethickness; a lever having an end portion pivotably connected to theprimary member proximate to the opening at a pivot connection point andan elongated arm extending from the end portion, the end portion havinga lower end defining an engagement surface, the lever being moveable byrotation between an open position and a closed position, wherein when inthe closed position, the lower end of the lever extends through theopening and inwardly from the interior surface, such that the engagementsurface is configured to engage the elongated member within the centralpassage to hold the clamping device in position with respect to theelongated member, and wherein movement of the lever from the closedposition to the open position causes the lower end to move outwardly,such that when in the open position, the engagement surface is notconfigured to engage the elongated member to hold the clamping device inposition with respect to the elongated member, wherein the generallycylindrical body comprises a plurality of alternating thin sections andthick sections, the thick sections having increased thickness withrespect to the thin sections, and wherein the thick and thin sectionsform alternating raised portions and recessed portions on the exteriorsurface, wherein the alternating raised and recessed portions extend anentire circumferential distance of the exterior surface.
 14. Theclamping device of claim 13, wherein the lever is connected to theprimary member such that the pivot connection point is located at one ofthe raised portions, and the opening extends through the one of theraised portions.
 15. The clamping device of claim 13, wherein theopening has a boundary entirely defined within the generally cylindricalbody and located between the front and rear surfaces of the primarymember.
 16. The clamping device of claim 13, further comprising asecondary member that extends around a portion of the interior surfaceof the primary member, wherein a portion of the secondary member ispositioned on the interior surface opposite the opening.
 17. Theclamping device of claim 16, wherein the secondary member extends aroundat least half of a circumferential distance of the interior surface. 18.A clamping device comprising: a primary member having a front surface, arear surface opposite the front surface, a generally cylindrical bodyextending between the front and rear surfaces, a central passagedefining an interior surface, wherein the primary member is configuredto receive an elongated member through the central passage, wherein thegenerally cylindrical body has a thickness defined between the interiorsurface and an exterior surface, wherein an opening extends through thethickness, and wherein the generally cylindrical body comprises aplurality of alternating raised portions and recessed portions on theexterior surface; and a lever having an end portion pivotably connectedto the primary member proximate to the opening at a pivot connectionpoint and an elongated arm extending from the end portion, the endportion having a lower end defining an engagement surface, the leverbeing moveable by rotation between an open position and a closedposition, wherein when in the closed position, the lower end of thelever extends through the opening and inwardly from the interiorsurface, such that the engagement surface is configured to engage theelongated member within the central passage to hold the clamping devicein position with respect to the elongated member, and wherein movementof the lever from the closed position to the open position causes thelower end to move outwardly, such that when in the open position, theengagement surface is not configured to engage the elongated member tohold the clamping device in position with respect to the elongatedmember, wherein the lever is connected to the primary member such thatthe pivot connection point is located at one of the raised portions, andthe opening extends through the one of the raised portions.
 19. Theclamping device of claim 18, wherein the generally cylindrical bodycomprises a plurality of alternating thin sections and thick sections,the thick sections having increased thickness with respect to the thinsections, and wherein the thick and thin sections form the alternatingraised portions and recessed portions on the exterior surface.
 20. Theclamping device of claim 19, wherein the alternating raised and recessedportions extend an entire circumferential distance of the exteriorsurface.